Appeal No. 1998-0659
Application No. 08/264,527
electrical stimulation and using electrodes. Furthermore,
Matsushima discloses using a carrier frequency near 30 kHz16
and stimulation signals of which 10 Hz, which was the lowest
frequency among the comparisons, and the one which most
strongly suppressed the tinnitus. Thus the Matsushima
tinnitus suppressor operates in the ultrasonic frequency
range.
Therefore, as both Matsushima's and Appellants' apparatus
supply electrical noise signals in the ultrasonic frequency
range to the patient, this section of the claimed "means for
generating a masking noise signal in an ultrasonic frequency
range" is disclosed by Matsushita.
Finally, claim 1 recites "means for applying said masking
noise signal physically to a selected body part of said
patient to alleviate said symptoms caused by tinnitus." These
means are the electrodes which are implanted in the patient’s
ear as discussed in the second paragraph above.
Appellants' argument that Matsushima teaches that the 30
kHz conduction frequency relates to the magnetic coupling
system between the coils of this reference and has nothing to
16 Section 8, first paragraph.
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